The Best Online Associate Degree in Marketing

by Doug Wintemute
TheBestSchools.org

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An associate degree in marketing prepares graduates for entry-level jobs in business and marketing, including advertising sales and non-technical manufacturing sales.

Students in associate-level marketing programs develop business and marketing foundations that lead to professional opportunities and further training. Many online colleges offer pathway programs to ease student transitions into bachelor's and master's in marketing programs.

Associate degree-holders can apply their skills to various sales roles. Their understanding of market conditions, consumer needs, and organizational marketing strategies help them provide quality service and sales results. Here, we rank the best online associate degrees in marketing and explore their unique features.

The Best Online Associate in Marketing Programs

  1. Lake Area Technical College
    Location

    Watertown, SD

    Tuition

    $11689

    Graduation Rate
    71%
    View School Profile

    Founded in 1965, LATI currently provides 31 educational programs to more than 2,600 students.

    The hybrid associate of applied science in marketing and management program requires 76 credits for completion. Students can typically finish the program in six semesters plus one summer session. Curriculum highlights include personal finance, principles of selling, business law, and principles of marketing. Admission requirements include a completed online application, official high school transcripts, and optional ACT scores.

  2. Hinds Community College
    Location

    Raymond, MS

    Tuition

    $4089

    Graduation Rate
    26%
    View School Profile

    Hinds currently serves more than 25,000 students each year across over 70 offered career and technical programs.

    The associate of applied science in marketing management program requires 60 to 62 semester hours for completion. Students that achieve the associate degree also earn career and technical certificates through the embedded coursework model. Prospective students must complete an online application and submit official high school transcripts showing diploma completion and graduation date. Applicants may substitute an Accuplacer exam for the ACT.

  3. Lakeshore Technical College
    Location

    Cleveland, WI

    Tuition

    $9337

    Graduation Rate
    41%
    View School Profile

    LTC currently serves over 10,000 unique students with a low tuition starting at $141 per credit for Wisconsin residents.

    The associate in digital marketing program requires 60 credits of coursework, which students can typically complete in four terms. Curriculum consists of classes in general studies and technical studies, highlights of which include content and copywriting, social media strategy, web analytics, and personal branding. Admission requirements include a completed online application, official transcripts, and an online student success questionnaire.

  4. University of Northwestern Ohio
    Location

    Lima, OH

    Graduation Rate
    58%
    View School Profile

    UNOH currently serves almost 4,000 students annually across automotive, diesel, and high-performance auto programs in addition to more than 50 academic associate degree programs.

    The associate of applied business in marketing degree requires 108 credit hours for completion, including 56 credit hours of technical and basic requirements, 37 credit hours of general education requirements, and a mix of technical, general, and specialized electives. To apply, prospective students must complete an online application and submit official transcripts, along with official ACT or placement test scores.

  5. Northcentral Technical College
    Location

    Wausau, WI

    Tuition

    $9073

    Graduation Rate
    31%
    View School Profile

    Established in 1912 as the Wausau Industrial School, NTC offers associate degree, technical diploma, and certificate program options at six campuses and online learning centers.

    The completely online associate degree in marketing program requires 62 credits for completion. Students can typically complete required coursework in four terms at a total cost of approximately $10,600. Curriculum highlights include video for social media, principles of sales, retailing and merchandising principles, and retail operations management. Prospective students must complete an online application and will receive an acceptance notice or additional instructions via email.

  6. Coastal Pines Technical College
    Location

    Waycross, GA

    Tuition

    $2933

    Graduation Rate
    60%
    View School Profile

    Established in 2014 as part of the Technical College System of Georgia, CPTC currently offers associate of applied science degrees, diplomas, and technical certificates.

    The completely online associate degree in marketing management requires 63 credits for completion at a low cost of only $100 per credit. Students can choose from three offered areas of specialization: marketing management, entrepreneurship, and retail management. Entrance requirements include a completed online application, high school diploma or equivalent, minimum age requirement of 16 years old, official high school and/or college transcripts, and placement testing scores.

  7. Central Georgia Technical College
    Location

    Warner Robins, GA

    Tuition

    $2325

    Graduation Rate
    30%
    View School Profile

    Established in 2012, CGTC currently offers 39 associate degree programs, 50 diploma programs, and 124 technical certificate programs.

    The Department of Business and Computer Technologies offers an online associate degree in marketing management program that requires 62 to 63 total credit hours for completion. Curriculum consists of general education core courses, occupational courses, and coursework in the student's choice from one of seven specializations. Students must be at least 16 years old and submit an online application and high school diploma or GED equivalent.

  8. Moraine Park Technical College
    Location

    Fond du Lac, WI

    Tuition

    $9396

    Graduation Rate
    44%
    View School Profile

    MPTC currently offers over 100 career training programs across three campuses, two regional centers, and an online learning center.

    The online associate of applied science in marketing and social media management degree requires 63 credits for completion at a cost of $140 per credit for in-state students and $210 per credit for out-of-state students. Curriculum highlights include principles of management, advertising and social media campaigns, marketing digital design, and website management. Prospective students must complete an online application and submit official high school transcripts, along with placement testing or official ACT scores.

  9. Southern Regional Technical College
    Location

    Thomasville, GA

    Tuition

    $774

    Graduation Rate
    42%
    View School Profile

    SRTC currently offers more than 130 degree, diploma, and certificate programs through 15 campuses, adult-learning sites, and online learning offerings.

    The online associate of applied science in marketing management program requires a minimum of 65 semester hours, which students can typically complete in five semesters. Students will complete coursework in general education, institutional courses, occupational courses, and 12 semester hours in marketing management specialization courses. Admission requirements include official high school transcripts showing diploma or equivalent, an online application, and a minimum age of 16.

  10. Seminole State College of Florida
    Location

    Sanford, FL

    Tuition

    $8392

    Graduation Rate
    41%
    View School Profile

    The National Center of Educational Statistics ranks Seminole State among the most affordable colleges in America. The institution currently serves more than 29,000 students annually.

    The online associate in science in social media and marketing program requires 60 credits for completion, including 39 credits of required courses, six credits of elective courses, and 15 credits of general education courses. Required coursework usually takes students typically takes five terms. Prospective students will complete an online application, verify residency, and submit official transcripts and placement test scores.

Best Online Associate

Online Associate in Marketing Programs Ranking Guidelines

We ranked these degree programs based on quality, curricula, school awards, rankings, and reputation.

Our Methodology

Here at TheBestSchools.org, we take the trust and welfare of our readers very seriously. When making our school and program rankings, our top priority is ensuring that our readers get accurate, unbiased information that can help them make informed decisions about online education. That's why we've developed a rigorous ranking methodology that keeps the needs of our readers front and center.

Our proprietary, multi-criteria ranking algorithm analyzes key data indicators — as collected by the federal government — for each school or program. What data we use depends on the focus of each specific ranking, but in all cases, our ranking methodology is impartial: Schools cannot buy better rankings at TBS.

While specific criteria under consideration can vary by ranking, there are a few data points that we value most highly. They are affordability, academic quality, and online enrollment. Below, we break down our algorithm to help you understand what you're getting when you use one of our rankings.

  • Academics
  • Affordability
  • Online Enrollment

Data Sources

The data used in TBS rankings comes primarily from the federal government, and much of it is provided by the schools themselves. We aggregate and analyze this data to build our rankings.

The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) is our primary source. Its data comes from annual surveys conducted by the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). Every college, university, or technical school with access to federal financial aid must participate in these surveys, which include questions about enrollment, graduation rates, finances, and faculty qualifications. This is publicly available data, which you can access yourself through the College Navigator.

Additionally, because we value a personal touch and the professional experience of our staff and Academic Advisory Board, we vet all results and adjust rankings as necessary based on our collected knowledge of schools and degree programs. Depending on the ranking, we may obtain additional input from AcademicInfluence.com, subject matter experts, prior TBS ranking lists, or other sources we deem relevant to a particular ranking.

Breakdown of Our Rankings Methodology

About Our Ranking Factors

Here at TBS, we value what you value: quality education, affordability, and the accessibility of online education. These factors guide all of our program rankings.

Each of these factors are further broken down into weighted subfactors. For example, retention rates are weighted more heavily than availability of program options because they are a better indicator of student success.

We chose the following factors for our rankings because of their influence on learning experiences and graduate outcomes. However, students should always balance our rankings against their personal priorities. For instance, a learner who needs a fully online program may prioritize online flexibility more than our rankings do. Our rankings are designed to help you make a decision — not to make a decision for you.

Academics - 75%
Affordability - 15%
Online Enrollment - 10%

In all our school rankings and recommendations, we work for objectivity and balance. We carefully research and compile each ranking list, and as stated in our advertising disclosure, we do NOT permit financial incentives to influence rankings. Our articles never promote or disregard a school for financial gain.

If you have questions about our ranking methodology, please feel free to connect with our staff through contact page.

We thank you for your readership and trust.

Featured Online Associate in Marketing Programs

Is Marketing the Right Career Path for Me?

The marketing and business field attracts diverse candidates. Some aim to work with specific products and services, while others pursue the field for its flexibility. In general, however, marketing and sales careers appeal to individuals with strong communication and organizational skills. Professionals usually possess high levels of self-confidence and initiative.

You Might Enjoy a Career in Marketing and Sales if You…

Have effective interpersonal skills Can be persuasive Are persistent and eager Believe in your skills and abilities Enjoy problem-solving and overcoming challenges

What Is an Online Associate Degree in Marketing?

Associate degrees in marketing equip students with knowledge related to promoting goods and services. In addition to teaching learners marketing and selling strategies, most marketing degrees at this level offer general business and marketplace training.

Typically, an online associate degree in marketing features approximately 60 credits and takes students two years to complete. Learners often encounter general education and interpersonal training, along with coursework in research and management.

While many graduates enter the workforce after completing their associate degrees, these programs also provide an entryway to further education. Associate degree-holders can often transfer their credits directly to online bachelor's degrees in marketing to save money when compared to a four-year degree.

Associate Degree in Marketing Courses

The exact curriculum in a marketing program varies by school, but students can expect to encounter some common courses along the way. In addition to general education and business foundation courses, enrollees may take the following marketing-specific classes:

  • Professional selling
  • Digital marketing
  • Market research
  • Advertising
  • Consumer behavior

Marketing Skills Learned

Students can pick up human and technical skills that apply to most careers in marketing, including:

  • Business communication
  • Campaign planning
  • Conducting market research
  • Social media management
  • Basic design
  • Marketing technology

Choosing an Online Associate in Marketing Program

Prospective students need to consider multiple factors when choosing an online college to ensure it meets their needs and professional aspirations. As with on-campus schools, learners need to research program curriculum, specializations, and student services available.

They should also explore online-specific options, such as asynchronous vs. synchronous course delivery, if the school offers in-state tuition rates to online out-of-state students, and residency requirements.

What Kind of Jobs Can You Get With a Marketing Associate Degree?

Graduates with associate degrees in marketing can qualify for entry-level positions as marketing assistants, media planners, content creators, and brand representatives. They may work under promotions or advertising managers or take on sales-related roles.

Wholesale and Manufacturing Sales Representatives

Median Salary (2020): $65,420

Wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives establish purchasing contracts and sell products to other businesses. They may help develop pricing and selling strategies and collaborate with technical experts to provide in-depth product information to their clients. Sales representatives also attend trade shows and research potential clients.

Advertising Sales Agents

Median Salary (2020): $54,940 per year

Advertising sales agents sell their organization's services to people and other companies. They may sell advertising space, single-piece ads and designs, or entire campaign management services. These agents create presentations, attend trade shows, and work with commercial printers to create the final products.

Insurance Sales Agents

Median Salary (2020): $52,180

Insurance sales agents sell insurance coverage and plans to individuals and organizations. They work with customers to determine the best coverage for their needs and expand their customer bases with various marketing and sales strategies. They provide consumers with policy information, oversee account changes, and process renewals.

Common Questions About Marketing Degrees and Careers

What Is AMA Certification?

The American Marketing Association offers certifications for experienced marketing professionals. A certification candidate typically needs a degree and several years of experience for eligibility.

How Long Does It Take to Get an Associate Degree in Marketing?

Most students take two years to complete associate degrees in marketing. Some programs offer more accelerated pathways or part-time options.

Does Marketing Involve Math?

Yes. An associate degree in marketing may include math courses in subjects such as statistics, economics, finance, and pricing.

Does Marketing Pay Well?

Yes. The marketing field offers some of the most competitive wages in business. For example, marketing managers make a median annual wage of $141,490, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Portrait of Doug Wintemute

Doug Wintemute

Doug Wintemute is a Toronto-based freelance writer with professional writing interests in higher learning and entertainment. He completed his BA and MA in English at York University, graduating summa cum laude and earning academic merit, research, and writing awards at both levels. Since 2014, he has contributed content and editorial work for award-winning digital trade publications, global SEO copywriting projects, and hugely popular online brands. He can be contacted through LinkedIn.

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